Amusement device



June 23, 1942. A. J. MARKEY 7,

' AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed May 5, 1941 ATTORNEY.

Patented June 23, 1942 AMUSEMENT DEVICE Andrew J. Markey, San Antonio, Tex.

Application May 5, 1941, Serial No. 391,966

2 Claims.

This invention relates to an amusement device of the type which provides means for playing a plurality of varied amusements thereon.

More particularly, the invention is directed toward an amusement device of the class wherein the player stands a certain distance from a target and endeavors to direct a ball, coin, or other form of playing member toward the target.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a novel amusement device of the above character which requires a high degree of skill for the piayer to obtain a respectable scare, yet so constructed and arranged to provide a high degree of amusement to the player notwithstanding his skillfulness.

Another object of the invention is to provide an amusement device of the above type having a novel arrangement for preventing the playing members from leaving the device in the event the player does not possess sufficient skill to direct the playing member toward the target.

Still another object is to provide an amusement device having a member attached thereto on which the player or players may record an accurate account of their game.

A further object of the invention is to provide an amusement device of the foregoing character that may be readily converted into a table of the well known type which is used for playing cards and the like.

Other objects and novel features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing 51 wherein one embodiment of the invention is illustrated. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is employed for purposes of illustration only and is not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for the purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawing, wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an amusement device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a section of the device disclosed in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a marking device employed with the present invention, and

Figure 4 is a vertical view of, partly in section, the device disclosed in Figure 3.

Referring more p a y to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, the present invention is disclosed therein as having a square table member H3, including an upper surface I2 of rubber or any other suitable sound absorbing material and a lower surface M, which are supported by four legs it seemed to the four corners of the table member in any suitable manner. Although the table member ID disclosed in the drawing is square in shape the same may take other forms, such as circular, for example. An. opening 25 in the center of the table is provided together with a plurality of openings 5 evenly spaced from the said opening 25 in the table member l0 which constitute the targets to which the player directs the ball, coin, or other suitable type of playing member. In each of the openings l8 and in the center opening 25 a cup 29 is adapted to slip, the cups being held in the position shown due to a force fit between the cups and the walls of the openings l8 and 25, for the purpose of receiving the playing members when they are accurately. directed to the openings !8 or 25. The cups 2%! may be readily removed, so that the playing members may be removed therefrom, and also for a purpose that will appear more fully hereafter.

As heretofore stated, it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an amusement device of the present character having means which tends to prevent the playing members from leaving the table member it after they have been thrown by the player. As disclosed in the drawing, such means comprises a rail guard 22 positioned around the edges of the table member El! and adapted to extend upwardly at right angles with respect to the plane of the table. It will be apparent that means .of the above character will prevent the playing member from leaving the surface of the table in the event that the player does not possess Sllfi'lcient skill to direct the playing member to one of the openings IE or 25. The guard 22 is constructed in such a manner that the same may be readily removed from the table I!) for a purpose more fully outlined hereafter.

The present invention also provides means, that may be temporarily secured to the device, which constitute a convenient score board whereby the players may accurately keep account of their game and thus stimulate competitive spirit. As viewed in the drawing, such means includes a member 24 which is secured to the lower side of the table member l8 and is adapted to extend outwardly from the table in the same plane thereof a sufiicient distance to provide ample room for holding a slate or other writing material on which the players may record their score. The member 24 is of such length to provide ample scoring space fora plurality of players. As will also appear more fully hereinafter the member 24 is also connected so that the same may be removed easily, but when attached to the table will provide a stable support for the purpose outlined heretofore.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, means are disclosed therein for marking the throwing line, or the distance between the table I!) and the position of the player when the playing members are directed toward the targets or openings l8 and 25. This device is advantageous since it provides means whereby the players may accurately keep such distance fixed.

When it is desired to utilize the present device as a table of the well known type, for playing cards thereon, the rail or guard 22 and the score recording member 24 are removed in the manner outlined heretofore, that the table member I O is then left free from attaching means that may interfere with the use of the device for this latter purpose. As stated heretofore, the cups 2!) are adapted to be removed by exerting a slighth pulling force thereon, and the same are also so constructed and adapted that they may be inserted in the openings 18 and 25, in the reverse from that disclosed in the drawing, in such a manner that the closed ends thereof will be in the same plane as the upper surface I2 of the table member NJ. The bottom 26 of the said cups 2E! is formed of rubber or other suitable sound absorbing material. Thus a smooth table surface is provided that may be readily utilized for the purposes outlined above.

The present invention thus provides a novel amusement device which provides a rail, a guard which functions to prevent the playing members from leaving the playing table after they have been mis-directed toward the target by the play ers. Novel means are also provided whereby the players man conveniently keep a record of the trend of their game which will tend to improve their accuracy as well as their competitive spirit. The present device also includes certain novel characteristics in construction which enable the player or owner to quickly transform the same into a table of the well known type which is used for playing cards.

Although only one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein and described with considerable particularity, it is to be understood that modifications and changes may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, as well understood by those skilled in the art. Reference will, therefore, be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I cltim as novel and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In an amusement device of the type wherein a playing member is directed to a remotely positioned target,' a table top member formed of a sound absorbing material having a plurality of openings therein which constitute said target, cup-like members positioned in said openings for holding the playing members after they enter the said openings, and a sound absorbing material forming the bottom of the said cup-like members whereby upon inverting the said cup-like members in the openings aforesaid the said sound absorbing material provided at the bottom of the cup-like members will form with the sound absorbing material of the table top member a continuous table top of sound absorbing material.

2. In an amusement device of the type wherein a playing member is directed to a remotely positioned target, a table top member formed of a sound absorbing material having a plurality of openings therein which constitute said target, means positioned around the edges of said table top for preventing the playing members from leaving said table top when the same do not enter said openings, cup-like members positioned in said openings for holding the playing {members after they enter the said openings, and a sound absorbing material forming the bottom of the said cup-like members whereby upon inverting the said cup-like members in the openings aforesaid the said sound absorbing material provided at the bottom of the cup-like members will form with the sound absorbing material of the table top member a continuous table top of sound absorbing material.

ANDREW J. MARKEY. 

